Prominent Salafi Sheikh Mohamed Hassan demanded on Monday that Egyptians stop doubting state institutions, including the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the judiciary.
In a meeting in Alexandria on Monday, Hassan called on protesters not to trouble society with protests and strikes, considering them counterproductive and harmful to the economy.
Several opposition political figures have criticized the SCAF over what they see as its weak performance in running the country during the interim period, with some accusing the military council of following in the steps of ousted President Hosni Mubarak in imposing a media crackdown and banning peaceful protests.
Some unnamed movements have been attempting to impose their own agendas on Egyptian society, Hassan warned.
He added that Islamist groups should unite in the face of these groups, which he believes would work in opposition to religion if they took control of the country.
Egypt needs to be cleansed of the corruption of the Mubarak regime while maintaining its unique cultural and religious features, he said.
Salafis have become more prominent in Egypt's political scene since Mubarak's resignation on 11 February. However, Salafis were not particularly active in the 18-day uprising and claimed that protesting went against the rules of Islamic law.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
